Stacey Alexander-Harriss

On the 8th October 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Stacey Camille Alexander-Harriss. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 28th April 2021. The conclusion was a narrative conclusion:

Mrs Alexander-Harriss died as a result of an overwhelming bacterial infection caused by a dog bite.

4. CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Mrs Alexander-Harriss was bitten by a dog on the 15 June 2020. In the late afternoon of the 17 June 2020, she began to feel unwell and was taken to hospital by ambulance. The dog bite itself appeared, superficially, to be healing. The paramedics suspected sepsis (unknown cause) and placed a pre-alert call to the hospital. Mrs Alexander-Harriss arrived in the emergency department at 1904. The emergency department team noted that she was very unwell, with a metabolic acidosis. IV fluid resuscitation was provided promptly on arrival to hospital. Within the first hour of arrival in hospital, Mrs Alexander-Harris underwent a clinical examination; venous blood gas; laboratory bloods were taken; IV fluids and oxygen administered; painkillers administered; ECG and chest x-ray carried out and her care was escalated to an emergency department consultant. The full blood count led to a primary suspected diagnosis of neutropenic sepsis and she was commenced on IV Tazocin for this. The Tazocin was commenced at 2035. Transfer to the ITU team took place at 2052. Mrs Alexander-Harris received one to one care in ITU. In the early hours of the 18 June 2020, Mrs Alexander-Harris suffered a cardiac arrest, from which she could not be successfully resuscitated. A blood culture received after she had passed away revealed the bacterial growth of Capncytophagia canimorsus. This organism is commonly found in the mouth of dogs. There is a possibility that earlier administration of Tazocin might have made a difference to the outcome.